Kittitas County, WA -07/31/2012 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pursuant to Chapter 20.08 of the Kittitas County Code, there exists an extreme fire hazard due to high temperatures, low relative humidity and low fuel moisture content of 1,000 hr fuels.

Effective Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 12:00 p.m., Kittitas County is imposing a prohibition against open burning and recreational fires for Fire District 1, Fire District 3, Fire District 6, Fire District 7, Fire District 8, private land and campgrounds outside of fire districts, and the properties under the authority of the Department of Natural Resources which are outside of an approved campground. Open burning is prohibited in the district of Snoqualmie Pass Fire and Rescue, however, recreational fires no larger than 2’x2’ in diameter may be allowed with Fire Chief approval.

The burn ban does not include areas within the boundaries of Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue (Ellensburg area) and Fire District 4 (Vantage area).
Open Burning.  The burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber, and is not defined within the parameters of a recreational fire.  Open burning fires are generally larger fires (up to 10’x10′) in which cut natural vegetation is burned to clear properties.

Recreational Fire. Outdoor burning of materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, chiminea, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet (914mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610mm) or less in height, used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.

Only Natural Gas and Propane self-contained stoves and bar-b-ques are allowed under the ban.

This burn ban becomes effective as of 12:00 pm on August 1, 2012.

For additional information, please view their website

Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us